The Domingo the Bounty Hunter series consists of DANGER NO PROBLEM (book 1) and SUNDAY OR THE HIGHWAY (book 2). The series follows a Filipino American bounty hunter named Domingo who catches the most elusive quarries and discovers explosive secrets along the way. In both books, certain songs are mentioned to either highlight the quality of a character or reinforce the mood of the scene. DANGER NO PROBLEM, Book 1: “Love of My Life” by Queen.On the night Domingo the Bounty Hunter first meets Monica Reed, a biracial undocumented Filipino woman, “Love of My Life” is playing on the radio during their drive from Pittsburgh to New York City. It’s a sign of things to come. Monica turns out to be the only quarry that ever eludes Domingo. She’s bound to have a huge impact on his life. “Easy” by Lionel Richie.Domingo Americanized his name to Sunday when he became a U.S. citizen. Lionel Richie’s song, “Easy,” which famously mentions an easy Sunday morning, influenced Domingo’s decision. He wants Americans to remember him and his name. It’s his way of adapting and assimilating, which says a lot about his character. “No Regrets” by Jon Bon Jovi.In the book’s last chapter,…

It’s so exciting for me to be back on Fresh Fiction’s blog—and back in the world of contemporary romance writing (it’s been a hot minute with the Crave series, Star Bringer, and Sweet Nightmare) and I couldn’t be more thrilled. And since my newest book, It Happened on a Sunday, is a pop star/football player romance, I just had to do a quick playlist for this post. So hang on while we explore songs by some of the strongest, most kickass female singers around. Wrecking Ball from Miley CyrusI had to put this song on the list, partly because I played it over and over while I was writing It Happened on a Sunday and partly because no song captures Sloane’s raw vulnerability better than this one. She’s spent years under a not so kind spotlight, her every mistake and heartbreak amplified for the world to see. Wrecking Ball mirrors her fear of loving too hard and too openly, only to be shattered—but it’s also about the strength it takes to rise from the wreckage and keep singing even when everything hurts. Landslide from Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood MacThis is another song I listened to over and over again because…

THE HONEYCRISP ORCHARD INN Exclusive Excerpt Chapter 14 It’s nearly ten when I sneak back into the apartment that night. Maria returned to the city after promising to keep me posted on her PR efforts for the festival. Of course, she offered to let me stay with her while I get back on my feet, but I politely declined. After some discussion we both agreed that our collective wardrobes probably wouldn’t fit in her tiny apartment. It’s chic as hell, but it’s the approximate size of a broom closet. Maria went for quality over quantity. I happen to know she pays half of her rent with pictures of her feet in heels on OnlyFans. She’s not proud of it, and I’m sworn to secrecy because if her grandma finds out, there will be hell to pay, but it’s amazing how much you can make showing nothing but an ankle and the top of your foot. I honestly don’t know why her grandma would object, but apparently, it’s a Catholic thing. Or an Italian thing. I’m not here to judge. I may also have to open an OnlyFans foot account if I can’t find an event-planning job. My feet aren’t as…

Fall is just around the corner, so I thought this month we’d look at some cozies with a little sauciness to keep you warm! I like to call my books RomCozies because they definitely deliver on the promise of justice, community, and the fun of figuring out the puzzle of whodunnit, but they also involve a romance that sparks on the page. So here are a few to check out and you grab a cup of cider and snuggle into the cooler weather coming our way! PASTRIES, PODCAST & MURDER (Sweet Tooth Sleuth Book 1) by Elizabeth PerryThis book totally cracked me up! I love the humor, the pacing, the interactions with the characters, and the way the whole thing wrapped up in a tight bow. But make sure you’ve done all your chores before you get started because you might not get up until the very last page. A book that is a little older but super fun is DYING FOR A DATE: (A Humorous Cozy Mystery) (Laurel McKay Mysteries Book 1) by Cindy SampleSuper funny, incredibly engaging, and I couldn’t put it down! I love the flippancy and the way it’s packed with characters are a little over…

Each Monday the Smashwords store lists the top ten most highly anticipated indie fiction ebooks based on the previous week’s preorder accumulations. Each title on the list is scheduled to release within the next week. To help the talented authors on this list accumulate even more preorders, click the title of the book. The hyperlink will bring you to a Books2Read page where you can order from your preferred ebook retailer. If the preorder is part of a series, click the hyperlinked series title to learn about the other books in the series. Be sure to check back Friday for a list of the Top 25 Bestselling Indie Ebooks.

Diary, 1st of August, anno Domini 1547: Lady Peigi Grant. I’m excited to travel to Lughnasadh, and the Royal Inverness Games! But nay for the festivities you might think would be diverting. Nay, I’m not much for fanfare. I’ve seen darkness like none other and buried it in my heart for years. I once set an outlawed laddie—accused of murdering our sire—free, after bearing witness to the dark deed and he was most certainly nay the one to lift his blade. We shared a kiss. A bond. A blessing made on Samhain, and to this day I wonder where he went after years’-long manhunts proved fruitless to find him. No, I’d rather play my lyre in the seclusion of a hidden grove instead of endure celebratory festivals, of folk imbibing too much and caring too little about the injustices of the world. And the competitions! Truly, only an opportunity for men to flex muscles and brag about their prowess with a sword in hopes of enticing a woman to lift her skirts for them. I am excited to see my wee sister, who married our clan’s greatest enemy this Yuletide past, for she is growing heavy with child and will…

What is the title of your latest release?A SPECIAL INTEREST IN MURDER (Ada Latia book 1) What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?Autistic lady detective cannot bear injustice, especially when directed at a misunderstood, hurting autistic girl. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?I knew it had to take place at a special autistic school, but it was because of recent political events that I chose to put it in Idaho, because Idaho’s ultraconservative population seemed an apt setting for a school designed to “fix” autism in young children in ways that would be likely to be unethical and possibly criminal. Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?Of all the heroines I’ve ever written, Ada Latia is most close to my actual self. The main difference is that I allow her, because she was diagnosed at a young age, to be fully autistic in ways that I never was at younger ages. I was always masking, and Ada is free not to because she knows who she is and is unapologetic about her strengths and weaknesses. What are three words that describe your hero?fierce, intelligent, damaged What’s something you learned while…

What is the title of your latest release?MURDER PAYS A CALL What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?Personal concierge Keri Armstrong will accept almost any job, but when she finds her friend and favorite client dead in bed, she adds solving murders to her To-Do List. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?I live in the Orlando area and modeled my fictional town after Winter Park, an upscale community with shops, restaurants, and attractions that appeal to residents and tourists alike. Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?Absolutely. In fact, I’d like to hire her to help me organize things around the house and get rid of the clutter. What are three words that describe your hero?Keri likes Dr. Matt, who treated her arm after she was injured in a near-miss hit and run accident. He’s compassionate, cute, and a good listener. What’s something you learned while writing this book?I learned about the business of silver restoration. A trained professional can take your silver heirlooms that are dented, tarnished, or missing pieces and transform them into shiny new works of art. Do you edit as you draft or wait until you…

What is the title of your latest release?BEES IN JUNE What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?For a one floor ride: Kenny Loggins’ song, Return to Pooh Corner, but with Appalachian witches. For a multi-floor ride: Set against the hopeful backdrop of the first moon landing in 1969, a feat many said was impossible, Rennie Hendricks dreams of something she thinks is impossible, a happy and peaceful life. Aided by a hive of sentient bees brought from the Appalachian Mountains by her maybe-witch aunt Eugenia, Rennie reconnects with the magic of her childhood and finds that the impossible can sometimes happen. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?My first book, THE EMPRESS OF COOKE COUNTY, was set in the fictional town of Spark, Tennessee. I still had more stories to explore there, so I set Bees in June in the same town, three years later. I took minor characters from the first book and made them the main characters of BEES IN JUNE. Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?Absolutely! She is kind and resilient, loves dogs and books, and is a fabulous cook. I’d love to have a cup of…

What is the title of your latest release?WHATEVER HAPPENED TO LORI LOVELY? What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?Based on a true story: a beautiful young movie star of Hollywood’s Golden Age gives up her bright career to become a cloistered nun. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?I followed the lives of three famous, real-life actresses: humble beginnings in North Carolina, theater school in London, the pageantry of Hollywood, filming in Rome, and a cloistered abbey in Connecticut. I went to all these places while researching and writing Lori Lovely’s story. Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?Absolutely! In fact, the book is dedicated to one of Lori Lovely’s real-life inspirations Mother Dolores Hart who I have the honor of my life to call a spiritual guide and a friend. We have been in communication for nearly a decade. I joke that I want to be Lori Lovely when I grow up. She’s someone I greatly admire and want to have a cup of tea with… talking all things. I hope readers feel similarly. What are three words that describe your hero?Gracious. Courageous. Lovely. What’s something you learned while writing…